Control apparatus and method for a photographic device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a processor of photographic materials. More specifically, the control apparatus functions to advance a predetermined length of the sensitized, photographic material from a supply thereof to an exposure station, expose the sensitized material to an image, advance and sever the exposed portion of the sensitized photographic material at a first relatively high velocity and direct the exposed sheet of sensitized material through a heated station at a second slower speed. Further, the first velocity of the severed sheet is maintained until the sheet is disposed substantially within the processing station to insure that the sheet is uniformly developed. Once the leading edge of the exposed sheet leaves the processing station, the velocity of the sheet of sensitized paper is increased to the first relatively high speed.

[45] Feb. 8, 1972 United States Patent James [54] CONTROL APPARATUS ANDMETHOD FOR A PHOTOGRAPH: DEVICE Primary Examiner-Samuel S. MatthewsAssistant ExaminerF red L. Braun [72] Inventor:

Claim James Pimford Attorney-Robert W. Hampton and R. Lewis Gable [73]Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester,

[ ABSTRACT Apparatus for controlling the operation of a processor of[22] Filed: Sept. 2, 1969 photographic materials. More specifically, thecontrol ap- [21] Appl. No.:

paratus functions to advance a predetermined length of the sensitized,photographic material from a supply thereof to an exposure station,expose the sensitized material to an image, advance and sever theexposed portion of the sensitized photographic material at a firstrelatively high velocity and direct the exposed sheet of sensitizedmaterial through a heated station at a second slower speedv Further, thefirst velocity of the severed sheet is maintained until the sheet is[52] [1.8. CI. [51] Int.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,143,940 8/1964 Brown etdisposed substantially within the processing station to insure that thesheet is uniformly developed. Once the leading edge Wm ce or t Wm efi mem m m md 6 SC I Ea H. .mm H $6 en m C .5 m r e D P a mp d mm hf l t C mm7 1 nd w w sas n. x i 8H. 6 y mma ff. 00H XXX hX 999 8 888 2 ///5/ 55 359 m5 3,425,777 2/1969 White 3,442,589 5/1969 lshikawa et a]. 3,472,59010/1969 Fairbanks et a]. 3,500,734 3/1970 Lewis et PATENTEDFEB smz316340.198

sum 1 BF 3 FIG.i

CLAIRE L. JAMES INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS PATENIEU FEB 81972 SHEET 2 (IF 3 JAM NTOR.

AT QRNEYS CLAIRE llijv BY fiwgwz fM M CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICE CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Referenceis made to commonly assigned copending US. Pat. application Ser. No.625,590, entitled Radiation Sensitive Silver Halide Systems, filed Mar.24, I967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,927, in the name of Bacan and Barbierand US. Pat. application Ser. No. 48l,9l8, entitled Fhotodevelopment ofSilver Halide Printout Materials, filed Aug. 23, I965, now US. Pat. No.3,418,122, in the name of Colt, U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 854,870,entitled Free Standing Camera Assembly" filed Sept. 3, I969 in the nameof John Morse, and US. Pat. application Ser. No. 854,993, entitledTemperature Control Apparatus" filed Sept. 3, 1969, in the name ofRaymond L. Nelson.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to apparatus for exposing and developing a strip of sensitizedmaterial, and more particularly to apparatus'for controlling theoperation of such developing apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the above-identified applications,Ser. Nos. 481,918 and 625,590, there is respectively described asensitized material which may be exposed with a radiation image and adeveloping process in which sensitized material is successively heatedfor a controlled period and at a specified temperature, and then exposedto radiation in the ultraviolet range to develop the latent image.Typically, the sheet of sensitive material is withdrawn from a roll andthen exposed at an exposure station where the sensitized paper isexposed to a radiation image, which exposure may require in the order of3 to 5 seconds to complete. After exposure, the exposed portion isadvanced and is severed by a suitable cutting mechanism before it isdirected into a developing station which may illustratively take theform of a heating assembly and a photolyzing assembly in which thesensitized paper is heated and exposed to radiation of a selectedwavelength. It is necessary that each sheet be uniformly heated andexposed to the source of radiation. In addition, it is also desirable toreduce the developing process time. If the velocity of the severed sheetof sensitized material through the processor is determined by the timerequired to heat and to expose the sheet to radiation, the access timefor obtaining a reproduced copy of the image may be unnecessarilyextended.

It is therefore an object of this invention to reduce the time requiredto develop an exposed sensitized sheet of material by directing thesheet of sensitized material through the developing apparatus at twodiffering velocities.

It is a further object of this invention to direct a sheet of sensitizedmaterial through a developing station at first and second velocities andalso of obtaining the uniform development of the sensitized materialwithin the developing station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of thisinvention, these and other objects and advantages are realized by acontrol apparatus for regulating the velocity at which a sheet ofsensitized paper is directed through a developing processor. Moreparticularly, the control apparatus functions to direct a sheet ofsensitized material from a supply thereof, e.g., a roll, into anexposure station where it is exposed to a radiation image; next, theexposed portion of the sheet of sensitized material is severed and isadvanced at a first relatively high velocity to the developing station.The severed sheet of sensitized material is directed at the firstvelocity until substantially within the developing station, at whichtime the control apparatus decreases the velocity at which the sheet ismoved through the developing station to a second slower velocitydependent upon the time required to develop the sensitized sheet ofmaterial. When the leading edge of the sheet of sensitized material hasemerged a small amount from the developing station, the controlapparatus operates to increase the speed of the sensitized material tothereby assure the uniform development of sensitized sheet within thedeveloping station.

The invention and its advantages will become more apparent in thedetailed description of the preferred embodiments presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention presented'below, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectioned, side view of apparatus for developing sheets ofsensitized material by a control apparatus in accordance with theteachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an orthogonal view of the apparatus for controlling thedeveloping apparatus shown in FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an electrical circuit which operates incombination with the mechanical apparatus shown in FIG. 2 forcontrolling the step-by-step operation of the developing apparatus shownin FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsand in particular to FIG. I, there is shown a free-standing cameraassembly 10 including a camera or reproducing assembly 12 adjustablymounted by a camera support assembly 94 so as to be able to record andto provide a copy of images derived from varying display devices such asa cathode-ray tube display device 90. The camera assembly 12 includes ahousing 14 upon which there is disposed a lens assembly 16 for focusinga radiation image derived from the cathode-ray tube display device ontoan exposure station 20. A shutter I8 is mounted upon the lens assemblyI6 and allows a radiation image to be directed onto the exposure station20 for a period of time sufficient to expose that portion of a web orstrip 28 of sensitized paper inserted within the exposure station 20. Aplurality of reflective surfaces I06, 22 and 23 serve to direct theradiation image derived from the cathode-ray tube display device 90 ontothe exposure station 20. As seen in FIG. I, the exposure station 20includes a transparent platen 24 made of a suitably transparent materialsuch as glass, and a backup platen 26. A narrow opening is providedbetween the transparent platen 24 and the backup platen 26 through whichthe web 28 of sensitized material is directed. Illustratively, thematerial of which the web 28 is made may take the form of thephotographic material more completely described in the above-identifiedcopending application Ser. No. 481,918.

A roll of the web 28 of sensitized material is rotatably mounted upon ashelf within the housing l4so that the leading edge of the web 28 may bewithdrawn over a spacing roller 29 by a pair of metering rollers 32 and33. As will be explained in greater detail later, the metering rollers32 and 33 have.

respectively associated therewith a pair of gears 35 and 36 which areintermeshed together and driven by a drive belt 37 through a pulley 34.As shown in FIG. I, the pulley 34 is connected to the gear 33. Themetering rollers 32 and 33 serve to withdraw a measured length of theweb 28 of sensitized paper. For example, it may be desired to produce aletter-size copy of the image derived from the display device 90; thus,the metering rollers 32 and 33 may be rotated for a period sufficient toadvance approximately ll inches of the web 28 of the sensitizedmaterial. Next, the shutter 18 is activated to thereby expose thatportion of the web 28 disposed at the exposure station 20 with a latentimage. At the end of the exposure, the exposed portion of the web 28 isadvanced by the metering rollers 32 and 33 to thereby bring an unexposedportion of the web 28 into the exposure station 20.

The exposed portion of the web 28 is then severed by a cutting assembly38 and advanced by intermediate drive rollers 45 and 46 to a heaterassembly 54. The cutting assembly 38 includes a pair of rollers 39 and40 whose axes are angularly disposed with respect to the path alongwhich web 28 of sensitized material is driven. Each of the rollers 39and 40 is attached to drive gears 41 which are intermeshed with eachother and are driven through a pulley 42. As will be explained later,the pulley 42 and thus the rollers 39 and 40 are rotated by a drive belt43. A pair of cutting edges 44 are disposed on the rollers 39 and 40 andwhen rotated in opposite directions sever the strip or web 28 ofsensitized material as it is moved toward the intermediate rollers 45and 46. The intermediate rollers 45 and 46 are driven by a drive belt 49connected to a pulley 48; in turn, the pulley 48 is connected to one ofa pair of gears 47, which are connected to the intermediate rollers 45and 46 and are intermeshed together.

The severed piece or portion of the web 28 is directed from theintermediate rollers 45 and 46 through a passage formed by a pair ofguide plates 52 into the heater assembly 54. The severed piece ofsensitized material is subjected to heat in the heater assembly 54 andthen sequentially directed to a photolyzing assembly 74 whereat thepiece of sensitized material is exposed to radiation in the ultravioletrange. The steps and process by which this process may be carried outare more completely and illustratively described in the aboveidentifiedcopending application Ser. No. 625,590.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heater assembly 54 includes a drum 56 which maybe rotatably driven through a pulley 55 (see FIG. 2) by a drive belt 72.A guide plate 58 provides a curved surface disposed about the drum 56 sothat the sheet of sensitized material may be directed therebetween asthe drum 56 rotates. The inner surface of the guide plate 58 may becoated with a suitable material such as Teflon in order to facilitatethe movement of the sheets of sensitized material thereby. A pluralityof heating elements (not shown) may be disposed or imbedded on the outersurface of the guide plate 58. A set of guide fingers 62 serve to directthe sheet of sensitized material from the guide plates 52 into a passageformed between the guide plate 58 and the drum 56. A plurality ofrecesses may be disposed within the surface of the drum 56 and a set ofstriping members 64 may be disposed within the recesses to therebyremove the sensitized material from the drum 56 and to direct the sheetinto a fixed guide plate 67. The sheet of sensitized material may becooled by a heat sink formed by the fixed plate 67 and a plate 65connected to the guide fingers 62. A heat shield 60 may be disposedabout the drum 56 to prevent the undesired transmission of heat to theother parts of the apparatus 10.

As the piece of sensitized paper emerges from the heating assembly 54,the piece of sensitized paper is directed through the passage formed bythe pair of guide fingers 62 and guide plate 67 and is cooled by a heatsink 65 attached in a heat conductive relation with 'guide fingers 62. Apair of intermediate drive rollers 68 and 69 are disposed to direct thepiece of sensitized paper from the heater assembly 54 into thephotolyzer assembly 74. The drive belt 72 serves to drive theintermediate drive rollers 68 and 69 through a pulley 71 which isconnected to one of a pair of gears 70 associated with the rollers 68and 69. The gears 70 are intermeshed to drive in opposite directions theintermediate drive rollers 68 and 69.

The photolyzer assembly 74 includes a drum 76 made of a suitablytransparent material. The drum 76 is suspendedupon a belt 84 in floatingrelationship and is held thereon by a plurality of plastic bearingmembers 75. Inside the drum 76, there is disposed a plurality ofsuitable sources of ultraviolet radiation'such as lamps 78. A reflectorassembly 86 is disposed within the drum 76 to present a plurality ofreflective surfaces for directing the ultraviolet radiation onto thesensitized materi'aldirected about the drum 76 to thereby photolyze ordevelop the latent image disposed upon the piece of sensitized material.The belt 84 (or a plurality of such belts) is mounted on a plurality ofrollers 80 so that a portion of the belt will follow the contour of thedrum 76. A drive pulley 77 is connected to one of the rollers 80 and isrotatively driven as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the drive belt 72. As'isapparent from FIG. 1, the belt 84 serves to place the severed sheet ofsensitized material into intimate contact with the surface of the drum76. A set of guide fingers 81 is pivotally mounted to direct the pieceof sensitized material from the intermediate drive roller 68 and 69 intothe photolyzer assembly 74. Further, a set of striping members 82 areflexibly disposed against the surface of the drum 76 to separate thepiece of sensitized material from the drum 76 and to direct the piece toan exit opening 88 through the housing 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cathode-ray tube display device 90 includes acathode-ray tube 92 having a display surface upon which images aredisposed in a manner well known in the art. The cathode-ray tube 92 isdisposed within a housing upon which the camera support assembly 94mounts the camera assembly 12. The camera support assembly 94 includes amounting plate 96 upon which the camera assembly 12 is pivotally mountedas shown in FIG. 1 by a hinge 98. As a result, the angular orientationof a camera assembly 12 with respect to the mounting plate 96 may beselectivelyadjusted so that the images derived from the display surfacemay be directed from the reflective surface 106 onto the camera assembly12. In addition, the height of the mounting plate 96 may be adjusted toaccommodate housingsof various sizes. More specifically, the mountingplate 96 is supported by four legs 100 having, respectively, raisedextensions 102 which may be extended or retracted.

In FIG. 1, there is shown a pulldown assembly 104 for adjustablydisposing the reflective surface 106 from a first position remote fromthe display surface of the cathode-ray tube 92, thereby allowing anoperator to clearly view the cathoderay tube 92, to a second position asshown in FIG. 1, wherein the reflective surface 106 is disposed todirectthe radiation image derived from the cathode-ray tube 92 onto thecamera assembly 12. The pulldown assembly 104 includes a U-shaped lighthood 108 upon which the reflective surface 106 is mounted. A flexiblelight shield 112 made of a suitably opaque material is secured at oneend to the light hood 108 and at its other end to the housing 14. It isnoted that the flexible light shield 112 and the U-shaped light hood 108serve to prevent ambient light from being directed into the lensassembly 16 when an exposure is being made. The light hood 108 ismounted upon the housing 14 by a pair of bracket members 109 (only oneof which is shown) and a pair of pivoting members 1 10 rotatablyconnected to the bracket members 109. In turn, the U-shaped light hood108 is rotatably connected to the pivoting members 110 so that the lighthood 108 and the reflective surface 106 may be adjustably disposed withrespect to the display surface. For a more complete discussion of anillustrative embodiment of the camera support assembly 94 and thepulldown assembly 104 reference is made to the aboveidentified copendingapplication of Mr. John Morse.

With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown a programing assembly 116 forcontrolling the operation and energization of the various elements ofthe reproducing assembly 12. In particular, the programming assembly 116includes a high-speed motor 117 and a low-speed motor which may beselectively coupled to a drive shaft 123 by overrunning clutches 124 and126 respectively. The high-speed motor 117 is rotatively connected to agear 118 which in turn meshes with a gear 119, which is rotativelyconnected to the output of the overrunning clutch 124. Similarly, thelow-speed motor 120 is rotatively connected to a gear 121 which mesheswith a gear 122 associated with the overrunning clutch 126. Thus, eithermotor 120 or 117 may be energized without the necessity of disengagingthe other motor from the drive shaft 123. In turn, the drive shaft 123is rotatively connected to a drive pulley 127 about which is disposedthe drive belt 72 for imparting a rotational motion to the pulleys 55,57, 71, and 77. A pulley 114 is disposed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 toprovide an appropriate tension to the drive belt 72. The drive belt 72and the associated pulleys 57, 55, 71, and 77 provide suitable means fortransmitting a rotational motion to the cutting rollers 39 and 40, theintermediate drive rollers 45 and 46, the drum 56, the intermediatedrive rollers 68 and 69, and the drum 76.

In addition, the rotational motion imparted to the drive shaft 123 maybe selectively applied to the metering rollers 32 and 33 by a magneticclutch 132. More specifically, a gear 128 is rotatively connected to thedrive shaft 123 and engages a gear 129 associated with the input to theselective clutch 132. When energized, the selective clutch 132 applies arotational motion to the pulley 133, which in turn drives the pulley 34through a belt 37. The pulley 34 is connected as explained above torotate the metering rollers 32 and 33. ln a similar fashion, the driveshaft 123 is selectively connected by a magnetic clutch 136 to rotatethe cutting rollers 39 and 40. More specifically, a gear 130 isrotatably connected to the drive shaft 123 and further meshes with agear 131 connected to the input of the selective clutch 136. Whenenergized, the selective clutch 136 transmits the rotational motion to apulley 137 which in turn transmits the rotational motion to the cuttingrollers 39 and 40 through the belt 43 and the pulley 42. The pulley 42is rotatively coupled to a timing cam 148, which serves to selectivelyactuate switch S-6. Further, the drive shaft 123 is selectivelyconnected to a timing shaft 143 by a selective clutch 139. Moreparticularly, the rotational output from the clutch 139 is connected toa gear 140 which meshes with a gear 141 rotatively coupled to the timingshaft 143. The timing shaft 143 is connected to a plurality of timingcams 145, 146, 147, and 149 which are respectively associated in anactuating relationship with switches S-3, 8-4, 5-5, and S-7. As thetiming shaft 143 is selectively rotated, the timing cams willselectively open and/or close the switches S-3, S4, S5, and S-7.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an electrical circuit 160 forcontrolling the operation of the various elements of the camera assemblyand in particular for timing the energization of the various switchesand clutches shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, a source 156 ofalternating current potential is applied by an on/off" switch S1 to theelectrical circuit 160. With the closing of switch S2, potential isapplied through normally closed switch contact S32 and switch contactS2-1 to energize relay K1 to thereby operate contacts K11, K1-2 andK1-3. As contact K11 closes, potential is applied to timer K2 toinitiate a timing cycle, and potential is applied through contacts Kl-2and K21b to a bridge made up of diodes CR-S, CR-6, CR-7, and CR8. Therectified potential derived from this bridge is applied to activate theshutter 18 thereby exposing that portion of the sensitized material 28disposed in the exposure station 20. After a period of timecorresponding to the desired exposure, timer K2 will open contact K2-1bthereby closing the shutter 18. As contact K1-3 is closed, potential isapplied to energize the pickup coil a of relay K3; as a result, contactK3 will be closed. As contact 82-1 is closed, potential is applied to atimer K4 which after an adjustable delay operates K4-la, and K4-1b.During the delay set by timer K4, potential is applied through contactsK4-la a and normally closed contact K5la to the high-speed motor 120which rotates the heater drum 156 for approximately one-half of arevolution to maintain the drum 156 uniformly heated.

After timer K2 has timed out, normally open contact K2-la is closedthereby applying a potential through contact Kl-2 and contact K10-4 to abridge formed of diodes CR-l, CR-2, CR-3, and CR-4. The rectified outputfrom this bridge is applied to the selective clutch 139 thereby couplingthe drive shaft 123 to the timing shaft 143 to initiate a timing cycleof the programming assembly 116. As the timing shaft 143 begins torotate, switch S3 is the first to be actuated thereby closing contactS3-1. In addition, contact S3-2 now opens and the timing shaft 143continues to rotate as switch S4 is activated to thereby close contactS4. As contact 84 closes, the dropout coil b of relay K3 is energized tothereby open contact K3 and to deenergize selective clutch 132. It is tobe pointed out that the time period between the energization ofselective clutch 139 and the deenergization of relay K3, i.e., theoperation of switch S4, is selected to be sufficient to move the desiredlength of the web 28 of sensitized material into the exposure station 20and subsequently to move the previously exposed portion of the web 28into the developing station. For example, if the desired length of thecopy sheet is I 1 inches, the time period would be selected to permitthe metering rollers 32 and 33 to advance approximately 1 1 inches ofthe web 28 of sensitized material before the clutch 132 is deenergized.

As the timing shaft 143 continues to rotate, switch S5 is momentarilyactuated to thereby close normally open contact S5 and energizeselective clutch 136. As clutch 136 is energized, a rotational motionwill be translated to the cutting rollers 39 and 40 to thereby bring thecutting edges 44 into contact with the web 28 and to sever that portionof the web 28 which has been exposed. As the cutting rollers 39 and 40continue to rotate, cam 148 will actuate switch S6 thereby closingcontact S6; after switch S6 has been closed, switch S5 will bedeactivated to thereby open contact S5. Next, switch S6 will bedeactivated and contact S6 will be opened to thereby deenergize theselective clutch 136. The period between the energization anddeenergization of clutch 136 is selectively set to allow the cuttingrollers 39 and 40 to rotate through a full revolution to thereby set thecutting edges 44 in a ready position for cutting the next portion of theweb 28 of sensitized material.

With the energization of switch S3, potential is applied through contactS31 and normally closed contact K4-2 to a relay K5 to thereby closenormally open contact KS-lb With the closing of contact KS-lb potentialmay be applied through contact S3-l and contact KS-lb to the switchcontact S7. As timing shaft 143 and cam 149 continue to rotate, switchS7 will be activated to thereby energize the high-speed motor 117. Dueto the presence of the overrunning clutch 126, the drive shaft 123 willbe rotated at the higher speed to thereby drive the web 28 of sensitizedmaterial into the exposure station 20 at a higher speed and also torotate the intermediate drive rollers 45 and 46 at a higher speed untilthe severed sheet of sensitized material is substantially disposedwithin the heater assembly 54. At this point, switch S7 is deactivatedthereby opening contact S7 and deenergizing the highspeed motor 117.Thus, the relatively low-speed motor will continue to rotate the driveshaft 123 and the exposed sheet of sensitized material will be driventhrough the heater assembly 54 at a relatively slow speed dependent uponthe time required to stabilize the exposed image by the application ofheat. As explained more fully in the above-identified copendingapplication to Raymond L. Nelson, a heater element 151 is disposedwithin the heater assembly 54 and its energization is regulated by aheater control circuit 153 including a temperature-responsive elementfor controlling the heat applied to the sensitized material.

As the leading edge of the severed sheet of sensitized material emergesfrom between the drum 56 and the guide plate 58, the switch S7 is againactivated to close switch S7 and to energize motor 117. As a result, thedrive shaft 123 will be driven at a relatively high speed and theintermediate drive rollers 68 and 69 and the drum 56 will be rotated ata higher speed to thereby move the severed sheet of sensitized materialmore rapidly from the heater assembly 54 and into the photolyzerassembly 74. After substantially the entire severed sheet of sensitizedmaterial has been disposed between the drum 76 and the belt 84, theswitch S7 will be again rendered inoperative by the cam 148 to therebyopen contact S7 and deenergize the motor 117. As a result, the driveshaft 123 will be driven by the slow-speed motor 120 to direct thesevered sheet of sensitized material through the photolyzer assembly 74at the slower speed. The sensitized material will be exposed toultraviolet radiation emanating from a plurality of sources 78 which areenergized as shown in FIG. 3 by a potential derived from source 156 andapplied through a ballast 153 to the source 78. Though a single source78 and ballast 153 is shown in FIG. 3, it is realized that a pluralityof sources and ballasts could be connected in parallel across the source156. As the developed piece of sensitized material emerges from betweenthe drum 76 and the belt 84, switch S7 will again be operated to closecontact S7 and energize motor 117. As a result, the piece of sensitizedmaterial will be delivered from the photolyzer assembly 74 at the higherspeed to be discharged from the camera assembly 14 through the exitopening 88. After the developed sheet has been discharged through theexit opening 88, switch S3 will be rendered inoperative to therebyreturn contact 83-1 to its normally open position and to therebydeenergize motors 117 and 120. When switch S3 is opened, the programingassembly has completed a single program cycle and is now ready for thenext cycle, which may be initiated by operating switch S2.

An additional feature of the control circuit 160 provides that a secondexposure may be made within the exposure station 20 while the firstexposed portion of the web 28 is being processed through the heaterassembly 54 and the photolyzer assembly 74. in particular, after thetimer K2 has finished its timing operation and S3 has been activatedindicating that fresh paper is available, the switch S2 may again beoperated to commence the second exposure of the next portion of the web28 while the first portion thereof is being developed. When the switchS2 is thrown, potential is applied through contact 83-1, contact S2-2 toenergize relay K10 to thereby operate contacts KlO-l, K10-2, K103 andK104. As contact Kl3 closes, potential is applied through contact K-3,and switch contacts 82-1 to energize relay K1 and also timer K2. Withcontact Kl-2 closed, potential is now applied through contact K1-2 andcontact K2-lb to energize the shutter 18 thereby giving an exposure ofthe second portion of the web 28 of sensitized material. Because contactKl0-4 has been opened by the energization of relay K10, no furtherenergization of the shutter 18 will occur when timer K2 times out andcontact K21b opens. Thus, the second portion is exposed and is now readyto be developed as soon as the first portion has been completelydeveloped. More specifically, at the end of the first cycle switch S3will be reopened indicating the completion of the development of thefirst exposed portion and the deenergizing of relay K10. As a result,contact Kl0-4 will be reclosed to thereby energize the bridge composedof diodes CR-l to CR-4 and the clutch 139 and to start a second cyclewhich will develop the second exposed portion of the web of sensitizedmaterial. At the end of the second cycle, switch S3 will open therebycompleting the cycle and preparing the camera apparatus 14 to expose andreproduce a new image.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for exposing and developing successive portions of a web ofsensitized material, said apparatus comprismg:

a. supply means for providing the web of sensitized material,

b. an exposure station,

0. shutter means for exposing that portion of the web disposed at saidexposure station,

d. first feed means for moving a measured portion of the web from saidsupply means to said exposure station,

e. a developing station for receiving and developing the exposed portionof the sensitized material,

f. a drive shaft,

g. second feed means coupled to said drive shaft for moving the exposedportion of the sensitized material through said developing station,

h. means for rotating said drive shaft at a first speed and at a secondspeed greater than said first speed,

i. a selective clutch means for coupling said drive shaft to said firstfeed means, and

j. control means for energizing said shutter means to expose a portionof the web, for energizing said selective clutch means for a givenlength of time to move the exposed portion of the web from said exposurestation and to advance a measured length of the web from said supplymeans into said exposure station, for operating said means for rotatingat said second speed to advance the exposed portion rapidly to saiddeveloping station, and for operating said means for rotating at saidfirst speed to direct the exposed portion through said developingstation at a slower speed.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is included cuttingmeans for severing the exposed portion from the remainder of the web ofsensitized material, and second selective clutch means for coupling saiddrive shaft to said cutting means to thereby activate said cuttingmeans.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said developing stationincludes heating means for generating and directing thermal energy ontothe exposed portion of the sensitized material, and radiation means forgenerating and directing radiation onto the exposed portion of thesensitized material.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control means operatessequentially said means for rotating to advance at said second speed theexposed portion of the web of sensitized material rapidly to said meansfor heating, for rotating said drive shaft at said first speed to directthe exposed portion of the web of sensitized material at a slower speedthrough said heating means, for rotating said drive shaft at said secondspeed to move the exposed portion of the web of sensitized material fromsaid heating means to said radiation means at a faster speed, and forrotating said drive shaft at said first speed to direct the exposedportion of the web of sensitized material through said radiation meansat the slower speed.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said heating means includesa drum rotatively coupled to said drive shaft, said control meansincluding timing means for energizing said means for rotating for agiven period of time to facilitate the rotation of said drum before theadvancement of an exposed portion of the sensitized material to saidmeans for heating.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includesa timing shaft, second clutch means for selectively coupling said driveshaft to said timing shaft, first switch means responsive to therotation ofsaid timing shaft to be disposed from a first condition to asecondcondition, second switch means being actuatabie from a firstcondition to a second condition, timing means responsive to the secondcondition of said second switch means for initiating a timing operationand for energizing after a preselected delay said said second clutchmeans, and third switch means responsive to the repetitive dispositionof said second switch means to its second condition and the dispositionof said first switch means to its second condition to energize saidshutter means, said third switch means responsive to disposition of saidfirst switch means in its first condition to energize said second clutchmeans.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is included a timingshaft and second clutch means for selectively coupling said drive shaftto said timing shaft.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein there is included aplurality of switch means disposed to be operated as said timing shaftis rotated by said drive shaft.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control means includesfirst switch means disposed to be activated as said timing shaft isrotated by said drive shaft, first and second conductive paths, timingmeans for providing a predetermined delay before the energization ofsaid second clutch means along said first path, said first switch meansresponsive to the movement of said timing shaft to energize said secondselective clutch means along said second conductive path.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein there is included cuttingmeans for severing the exposed portion from the remainder of the web ofsensitized material, third clutch means for selectively coupling saiddrive shaft to said cutting means to thereby activate said cutting meansto sever the exposed portion of the web of sensitized material, saidcontrol means including timing means for energizing said shutter meansfor a given length of time and thereafter energizing said second clutchmeans, and switch means disposed to be operated in response to movementof said timing shaft to thereby deenergize said third selective clutchmeans.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said control means includesfirst and second switch means disposed to be activated by the rotationof said timing shaft, said first switching means responsive to themotion of said timing shaft to operate said means for rotating at saidfirst speed, said second switching means responsive to the motion ofsaid driving shaft to operate said means for rotating at said secondspeed.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includesfirst and second conductive paths, timer means for energizing saidshutter means for a predetermined length of time, first switch means forinitiating the timing operation of said timing means, second switchmeans responsive to said timer means to deenergize said shutter meansand to energize said first selective clutch means along said firstconductive path, and third switch means responsive to a repetitiveactuation of said first switch means to be disposed from a first statein which said third switch means energizes said first selective clutchalong said first conductive path to a second state to deenergize saidshutter means along said second conductive path.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includesfirst and second conductive paths; a timing shaft; second clutch meansfor selectively coupling said drive shaft to said timing shaft; firstswitch means responsive to the motion of said timing shaft to bedisposed from a first position to energize said first clutch means alongsaid first conductive path, to a second state to deenergize said firstmentioned clutch means; second and third switch means disposable infirst and second states; timing means responsive to the actuation ofsaid second switch means to operate after a predetermined delay saidthird switch means from a first state in which said shutter means isactuated to expose a first portion of the web, to said second state toenergize said second clutch means; and fourth switch means responsive tothe concurrent actuation of said first switch means and said secondswitch means to be disposed from a first state in which said firstclutch means is energized, to a second state to prevent the energizationof said shutter means along said first conductive path.

14. A method for exposing and developing a web of sensitized material inapparatus including a supply of the sensitized material, an exposurestation, a shutter, and a developing station including a heating stationand a photolyzing station, said method comprising the steps of:

a. advancing a portion of the sensitized material into the exposurestation;

b. exposing the advanced portion of the sensitized material by operatingthe shutter;

c. advancing the exposed portion of the sensitized material at a firstspeed from the exposure station;

d. severing the exposed portion of the sensitized material from the webas it is advanced at said first speed from the exposure station;

e. subjecting the' severed portion of the sensitized material to thermalenergy at the heating station, advancing the severed portion of thesensitized material therethrough at a second speed, said second speedbeing relatively slower than said first speed;

. advancing the severed portion of the sensitized material from theheating station to the photolyzing station at said first speed;

g. subjecting the severed portion of the sensitized material toradiation of a preselected wavelength at the photolyzing station,advancing the severed portion of the sensitized material therethrough atsaid second speed; and thereafter h. increasing the speed of the severedportion of the sensitized material to said first speed as the leadingedge thereof emer es from the photolyzin station. 15. The meth accordingto claim 4 wherein a second portion of the web of sensitized material isexposed at the exposure station while the first-mentioned severedportion of the sensitized material is being developed at the developingsta tion.

16. The method according to claim 15 which comprises the additional stepof cooling the severed portion of the sensitized material as it isadvanced between the heating and photolyzing stations.

17. The method according to claim 14 which comprises the additional stepof cooling the severed portion of the sensitized material as it isadvanced between the heating and photolyzing stations.

1. Apparatus for exposing and developing successive portions of a web ofsensitized material, said apparatus comprising: a. supply means forproviding the web of sensitized material, b. an exposure station, c.shutter means for exposing that portion of the web disposed at saidexposure station, d. first feed means for moving a measured portion ofthe web from said supply means to said exposure station, e. a developingstation for receiving and developing the exposed portion of thesensitized material, f. a drive shaft, g. second feed means coupled tosaid drive shaft for moving the exposed portion of the sensitizedmaterial through said developing station, h. means for rotating saiddrive shaft at a first speed and at a second speed greater than saidfirst speed, i. a selective clutch means for coupling said drive shaftto said first feed means, and j. control means for energizing saidshutter means to expose a portion of the web, for energizing saidselective clutch means for a given length of time to move the exposedportion of the web from said exposure station and to advance a measuredlength of the web from said supply means into said exposure station, foroperating said means for rotating at said second speed to advance theexposed portion rapidly to said developing station, and for operatingsaid means for rotating at said first speed to direct the exposedportion through said developing station at a slower speed.
 2. Apparatusas claimed in claIm 1, wherein there is included cutting means forsevering the exposed portion from the remainder of the web of sensitizedmaterial, and second selective clutch means for coupling said driveshaft to said cutting means to thereby activate said cutting means. 3.Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said developing stationincludes heating means for generating and directing thermal energy ontothe exposed portion of the sensitized material, and radiation means forgenerating and directing radiation onto the exposed portion of thesensitized material.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidcontrol means operates sequentially said means for rotating to advanceat said second speed the exposed portion of the web of sensitizedmaterial rapidly to said means for heating, for rotating said driveshaft at said first speed to direct the exposed portion of the web ofsensitized material at a slower speed through said heating means, forrotating said drive shaft at said second speed to move the exposedportion of the web of sensitized material from said heating means tosaid radiation means at a faster speed, and for rotating said driveshaft at said first speed to direct the exposed portion of the web ofsensitized material through said radiation means at the slower speed. 5.Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said heating means includes adrum rotatively coupled to said drive shaft, said control meansincluding timing means for energizing said means for rotating for agiven period of time to facilitate the rotation of said drum before theadvancement of an exposed portion of the sensitized material to saidmeans for heating.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcontrol means includes a timing shaft, second clutch means forselectively coupling said drive shaft to said timing shaft, first switchmeans responsive to the rotation of said timing shaft to be disposedfrom a first condition to a second condition, second switch means beingactuatable from a first condition to a second condition, timing meansresponsive to the second condition of said second switch means forinitiating a timing operation and for energizing after a preselecteddelay said second clutch means, and third switch means responsive to therepetitive disposition of said second switch means to its secondcondition and the disposition of said first switch means to its secondcondition to energize said shutter means, said third switch meansresponsive to disposition of said first switch means in its firstcondition to energize said second clutch means.
 7. Apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein there is included a timing shaft and second clutchmeans for selectively coupling said drive shaft to said timing shaft. 8.Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein there is included a pluralityof switch means disposed to be operated as said timing shaft is rotatedby said drive shaft.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidcontrol means includes first switch means disposed to be activated assaid timing shaft is rotated by said drive shaft, first and secondconductive paths, timing means for providing a predetermined delaybefore the energization of said second clutch means along said firstpath, said first switch means responsive to the movement of said timingshaft to energize said second selective clutch means along said secondconductive path.
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein there isincluded cutting means for severing the exposed portion from theremainder of the web of sensitized material, third clutch means forselectively coupling said drive shaft to said cutting means to therebyactivate said cutting means to sever the exposed portion of the web ofsensitized material, said control means including timing means forenergizing said shutter means for a given length of time and thereafterenergizing said second clutch means, and switch means disposed to beoperated in response to movement of said timing shaft to therebydeenergize said third selective Clutch means.
 11. Apparatus as claimedin claim 7, wherein said control means includes first and second switchmeans disposed to be activated by the rotation of said timing shaft,said first switching means responsive to the motion of said timing shaftto operate said means for rotating at said first speed, said secondswitching means responsive to the motion of said driving shaft tooperate said means for rotating at said second speed.
 12. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includes first and secondconductive paths, timer means for energizing said shutter means for apredetermined length of time, first switch means for initiating thetiming operation of said timing means, second switch means responsive tosaid timer means to deenergize said shutter means and to energize saidfirst selective clutch means along said first conductive path, and thirdswitch means responsive to a repetitive actuation of said first switchmeans to be disposed from a first state in which said third switch meansenergizes said first selective clutch along said first conductive pathto a second state to deenergize said shutter means along said secondconductive path.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcontrol means includes first and second conductive paths; a timingshaft; second clutch means for selectively coupling said drive shaft tosaid timing shaft; first switch means responsive to the motion of saidtiming shaft to be disposed from a first position to energize said firstclutch means along said first conductive path, to a second state todeenergize said first mentioned clutch means; second and third switchmeans disposable in first and second states; timing means responsive tothe actuation of said second switch means to operate after apredetermined delay said third switch means from a first state in whichsaid shutter means is actuated to expose a first portion of the web, tosaid second state to energize said second clutch means; and fourthswitch means responsive to the concurrent actuation of said first switchmeans and said second switch means to be disposed from a first state inwhich said first clutch means is energized, to a second state to preventthe energization of said shutter means along said first conductive path.14. A method for exposing and developing a web of sensitized material inapparatus including a supply of the sensitized material, an exposurestation, a shutter, and a developing station including a heating stationand a photolyzing station, said method comprising the steps of: a.advancing a portion of the sensitized material into the exposurestation; b. exposing the advanced portion of the sensitized material byoperating the shutter; c. advancing the exposed portion of thesensitized material at a first speed from the exposure station; d.severing the exposed portion of the sensitized material from the web asit is advanced at said first speed from the exposure station; e.subjecting the severed portion of the sensitized material to thermalenergy at the heating station, advancing the severed portion of thesensitized material therethrough at a second speed, said second speedbeing relatively slower than said first speed; f. advancing the severedportion of the sensitized material from the heating station to thephotolyzing station at said first speed; g. subjecting the severedportion of the sensitized material to radiation of a preselectedwavelength at the photolyzing station, advancing the severed portion ofthe sensitized material therethrough at said second speed; andthereafter h. increasing the speed of the severed portion of thesensitized material to said first speed as the leading edge thereofemerges from the photolyzing station.
 15. The method according to claim14 wherein a second portion of the web of sensitized material is exposedat the exposure station while the first-mentioned severed portion of thesensitized material is being developed at thE developing station. 16.The method according to claim 15 which comprises the additional step ofcooling the severed portion of the sensitized material as it is advancedbetween the heating and photolyzing stations.
 17. The method accordingto claim 14 which comprises the additional step of cooling the severedportion of the sensitized material as it is advanced between the heatingand photolyzing stations.